2.3. Performing interactional management

In this section, we consider barriers that hinder the performance of interactional management and ways to overcome those barriers. We focus on candidates' reluctance to cut in, which was identified by training institutions as a common cause of unsuccessful interactional management. Three potential barriers are considered: a fear of undermining credibility, cultural factors such as politeness protocols and test tactics. We then explore how these barriers can be overcome, for example, by professionalism, by considering the situational nature of politeness and by an understanding of what examiners are looking for.

We also look at some general advice for candidates taking NAATI's CPI test, such as making specific requests to role-players, and at how interactional management varies in different settings. In an in-person setting, interpreters can use body language to support interactional management. In an online setting, body language becomes less useful, due to limitations on participants' fields of view, so verbal management becomes more important. In telephone settings, body language is impossible, as participants cannot see each other at all, so interpreters need very strong listening skills.